The provision of free textbooks next year will start with schools in the Eastern Education Division consisting Lau, Lomaiviti, Kadavu and Rotuma.

The Education Minister Filipe Bole said that the decision to start the distribution with the Eastern Division is due to the geographical isolation of these islands and the challenge they face with regard to obtaining educational resources from the main centres.

He said the Education Permanent Secretary Filipe Jitoko came up with the proposal and once the eastern distribution is completed, schools in the Northern Division will be the next recipients followed by the West.

He said that schools in the Central Division will be distributed their text books to complete the exercise for primary schools.

He said that distribution will start from this month to see that children receive their textbooks before school starts next year and all primary schools are expected to be enjoying this assistance by 2011.

Meanwile, Bole has applauded the honesty of the head teachers and principals who have returned the balance of bus fares to the District Education Offices after the completion of bus fare exercise last week.

Bole said although the Bus fare program will continue next year, teachers have been commended for upholding the teachers code of ethics and the Public Service Commission's Code of Conduct in returning public funds.